Lover Reborn by J.R. Ward

Lover Reborn: Black Dagger Brotherhood series: Book 10 - J.R. Ward

BDB reviews always seem the hardest to write. Not just because they’re absolute TOMES that have page after page after page of storyline to read, absorb, remember, and recall. But because they always go so much deeper than just an unfolded plot, with the depth of character development and Ward’s awesome ability to make you connect with her created peeps no matter their flaws.

And, of course, one cannot ignore how easy it is to slip into ‘Brother talk’ after spending so many hours with them, true?

My first thoughts upon opening Lover Reborn were undoubted ‘Oh, Brother’s, how I have missed thee‘, because there’s just something about slipping back into BDB-Land that’s on par with snuggling into your most comfortable pair of jammies. From one book to the next, Ward has made me fall in love with one brother after another. Some more than others, obviously–I have my favourites–but I haven’t read one of these titles yet and wondered if I could have found something better to do with my time. I LOVED watching the unfolding of Tohr & No’One’s relationship (though I did want to smack Tohr once–no, make that twice upside the head … with something hard and heavy). Loved watching them progress as they ‘came out of their shells’. I seriously couldn’t fault the relationship development, and totally appreciated how the book was separated into seasons to help the reader understand that this wasn’t a relationship that blossomed overnight. On top of that, I loved watching Lassiter’s character moulding into something awesome. I liked him anyway. He’s like even more light relief to an already (potentially) humorous household. But I love how the Brother’s feel conflicted over his presence but by the end of this he’s totally redeemed himself, not just in Tohr’s eyes but most likely with every one of them.

I’ll admit, there was a part near the ending that left me concerned we were going to end up with another Jane or Mary sitch (<<see what I did there?) and I began to prepare myself to be mightily disappointed. However, I enjoyed how this one played out. I certainly didn’t see the twist coming. But I trusted Ward to swing it around and smack me with the goods–and she did.

On top of the main trio, we get a whole lot of JM and Xhex. Not to mention there is just enough in here to pave way to the rumours I’ve heard that there may be something upcoming for Blay and Quinn (about freaking time). Oh, yeah, and there is definitely a few moments of wracked up tension at certain points that made me turn the pages almost faster than my eyes and mind could keep up–even more so than the awesome one-liners.
The only reason it lost the half star is because there were places when too much description and a little too long spent making their way from one setting/scene/place to another, or too long spent ruminating, that held the pacing back to the point I skimmed over what an area looked like unless it seemed pertinent to the scene.

My summary: Love BDB? Then what are you waiting for? Read it!